ChronoNomad's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Ascension]

So many reviews already, you don't really need another one from me, do you? Well you're getting one anyway, so deal with it! :P

This arrangement just feels like you. It's got that singularly Elspeth quality to it that always seems to give me smiles and warm fuzzies, and in that regard it reminds me very much of Dear Mario. So sweet and tinged with sadness. The piano chords are soft and rich, your voice and vocals are honest and soulful, and then - just to top it all off - french horns. The few instances of strings almost feel strangely unnecessary, but they're so subtle that they just blend right in.

The lyrics...ah, the lyrics! In such a short time you've written a song that has all the feels, tugging at my heartstrings and threatening to blur my vision with saltwater. Of course a big part of that is your tribute and the way that it reminds me of everyone I've lost over the years. There is sadness, yes...but never without a powerful sense of hope and beauty. So many feels.

Suffice to say, you never cease to amaze me. Thank you for the wonderful journey, and best of luck here in Round 4 of the NGADM. I'm just gonna say it: you're a rising star. Can't wait to see what comes next. <3

headphoamz responds:

Aw Chrono, what a lovely review. Thanks so much - I felt the same way when I was writing it. I like that there's an "Elspeth quality", hahaha! That's great. Sorry about the saltwater problem. :)

[footsteps]

I think it's safe to say that you have managed to outdo yourself here. It all flows so smoothly, and your piano arrangement really summons up the feels. Your arpeggios and strings dance beautifully together, and I for one am thoroughly happy that you decided to go in such a melodic and emotional direction. I do wish that some of the louder wind sounds were softer or more subtle, and when it was first introduced it really caught me by surprise (though perhaps that was the point), but they ended up growing on me after a time. The ending is calming and makes the piece feel complete, appropriately drawing the curtain to a close on the story.

A truly excellent job, overall. Good luck and godspeed.

johnfn responds:

Wow, thank you for such a nice review! I'm glad the piece worked for you :)

Yeah I think I introduced the wind too abruptly for sure. It was really added in the last few hours if I remember right, because I felt like the final section wasn't filled out.

I need the luck because SoundChris' song is insane!

[Moonlight Sonata]

I have a special place in my heart for Beethoven. Always. That being said, the EQ needs work; lows are too low and end up making it sound muddy, while the mid- and higher-range notes end up getting washed out. Other than that, it sounds lovely.

Nice work, overall. Polish up the EQ issues and you'll be golden. One of my all-time favorites of Ludwig van Beethoven's many outstanding compositions, so thank you for that. :)

newhansen responds:

Thx so much for your review, Chrono! I'm glad you like it ;)

[~SW~ Into the Fray]

Man, I love this! I hear both the Chrono Trigger battle theme and Lavos final battle mixed into this by degrees. There's drum style is decidedly breakbeat, so I'd say DnB fits as much as the Video Game affiliation does. It's also got a crazy jazzy style in there thanks to the instrument selections that's really cool, and those electric guitar stabs sound pretty cool, too. Nicely done!

SkyeWint responds:

Thanks! ^_^ Not sure there's much I can respond to in here, but yeah. The jazzy thing was actually based a bit off another remix I had heard at one point, it was very fun to make.

[the traveller]

While I really applaud your courage at going outside of your comfort zones, I came to the conclusion early on that this would not really be a good time or place to stray off the beaten path. That seems to have proven true on several occasions throughout the competition, and therein lies my concern.

Nevertheless, there's a lot here that I really enjoy, even though it was anything but business as usual for you. The intro feels a bit lackluster, but that first transition and hometown itself really make up for it. I think that having each section tell its own story within a story is a nice touch, so that seems like a good takeaway from Skye's lack-of-originality pronouncements. I really enjoy the unique way that you musically depicted a train ride.

Oh man, that ending is godawful. Knowing the story behind it did totally crack me up, though! I guess that's just how you...troll. :3 Ah, kitsch. Anyway, it was thoroughly fun to listen to. Best of luck!

johnfn responds:

Lol. See, this is my problem. I have dumb ideas and then I CANT SHAKE THEM OFF.

Maybe by NGADM14 I'll learn not to do dumb stuff. Until then...

DOWN WITH THE SHIP!!!

[Lying to a Stranger]

Man, this is just really cool and gets me moving. Always a good thing when it comes to EDM, to be sure. It does kind of get into one solid mode and more or less stays there, but there's a lot going on in the background to keep things fluid and variegated. Yeah, it just keeps me moving right from the start all the way through to the end. Makes it kind of hard to review effectively, but whatever! Love it.

You've got some really funky shit going on in the intro that just hooks the listener (in this case, me) straightaway. The finale comes really suddenly and I'm sorry to see it end, but that's always how it is with the best jams. Fantastic work and good luck in Round 3!

InvisibleObserver responds:

An extended version will make a lot more sense with its outro/arrangement, but I'm psyched that the quick punchy intro seems to be generally a good hook to most listeners.

Thanks for the words!

[Wolftacular NGADM Round 3]

I found this to be quite pleasant to listen to, but it really lacks the dynamics that would serve to polish it up and truly make it shine. You've got a lot of fun and interesting elements working together here, but it seems like it was maybe a touch too ambitious for the very brief deadline of this contest. Without the inclusion of vocals it kind of lacks the musical glue that would serve to bring it all together, so I hope you'll be able to finish this as you desire at some point. I'd love to give it another listen then! :D

What? It doesn't even have a proper title! But I suppose that's what happens when something isn't really completed to the artist's satisfaction. Compared to the music itself that's a pretty unimportant aspect, in my opinion. I just like to get a sense of what the artist's vision is for his or her body of work.

Overall, this is really good but feels a bit aimless. One of my favorite nuances is your transition to a more ethnic percussive style at 3:49, but the distinct lack of dynamics doesn't do you any favors. Nevertheless, you came to the party on time regardless of your dissatisfaction, and for that I give you mad props. Here's hoping that you get a chance to work on it some more and add those vocals so you can finally be satisfied. Best of luck!

Wolftacular responds:

I completely see all your points, and I'd like to mention that the changes the song takes go hand in hand with the lyrics and story I wrote for it. But yeah, as it is, I understand why it would feel like such. Audio production has always been one of my greatest weaknesses, so I guess that's where the dynamics thing falls. I've improved but I guess there's still a lot to learn :U

Thanks a bunch for listening and offering your feedback!

[Whiteout]

To me, this feels like Kefka and the Dancing Calcobrena had a baby! I don't know if that means anything to you or not, but suffice to say it reminds me of the music from various 16-bit-era Final Fantasy titles.

It's got a very interesting mix that both reminds me of traversing the wintry expanse and attending a carnival, all at the same time. There's a dark undercurrent to the piece that I really enjoy. The looping is rather stilted, but I imagine that trying to loop those wind sounds is pretty beastly and all but impossible. A very enjoyable track, overall. Best of luck in Round 3, SJ!

SourJovis responds:

Yeah, I've got all of the early Final Fantasy games in one form or the other. Many re-releases. I like them a lot. You give me too much credit. Kefka's and the dancing calcobrena's themes are much more interesting than this song. The wind effect and the reverb made it really hard to loop yes. No it doesn't loop very well because of it. Btw, I made the wind sound by filtering white noise, much like they made wind sounds in the 16-bit FF games. or some other games of that era. Good luck to you too.